new to black powder

Yes and yes.

However, sabotted conicals may not shoot well depending on the load and barrel twist rate. Conicals over heavy (100 gr or more) loads in a slow twist barrel (1 in 60 or more) often suffer in accuracy.
 
I'm thinking all the Cabela's Hawkens(Investarms) are 1:48 twist. I know mine is but it's 20 some odd years old. Mine doesn't shoot sabots for squat, they tumble. Having said that I haven't tried any in 15 years or so, maybe they've improved. Lead conicals work just fine for me and I don't have to clean melted plastic out of my bore.
 
Sabots work great in my 1 in 48" twist Traditions Deerhunter, but you have to realize that every gun is different. They give very reliable 1st shot accuracy out of a cold, clean barrel which I've never able to get using 90 grains of Pyrodex P shooting a patched round ball.
I use the TC Break-O-Way sabots and a 240 grain lead hollowpoint.
 
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I have 2 I have an older CVA Hawken that I shoot loose powder and buffalo bullets by hornady, but I only shoot 70 grains of powder, I have killed plenty of deer with it and its accurate at 70 grains of powder you try to step up the powder and accuracy goes out the window.....I also have a CVA Optima I shoot pellets and power belt bullets out of it with 100 grains of powder in 2 pellets....its shoots good ....it took me a few different rounds and powder charges to find the right load for the gun.
 
Is it a flint or cap lock? I have both.
Flinters only are reliable with good old fashion BP. No substitutes.
On the cap locks, some like the T/C Hawkins, are designed for pellet powder use.
Like what they call fire storm ignition IIRC
 
thanks for the info guys. someone told me i may want to change to a different nipple, so that i can use a hotter cap if i'm planning on using the pellets. any thoughts on this?
i have to say, that there is alot more to bp shooting than shooting centerfire rifles. for years i've collected ar's, ak's and such. then one day while looking at my collection, it hit me. i don't have one traditional looking rifle. so, 4 years ago my collection began to change bigtime. i now have a number of classic looking rifles. lever actions, bolt actions.....etc. i now think no rifle collection is complete without at least one black powder muzzle loader. this hawken is my first. i am planning on a flintlock kentucky rifle next, and maybe a cap and ball revolver.
with a number of military style rifles, rimfires, air rifles, handguns, shotguns and now the black powder bug biting me i should never get bored with shooting. lol.
i love this sport, and ain't it grand to be an American? :)
 
I am not convinced there is any benefit in changing from #11 caps to a musket cap, other than musket caps are much easier to deal with. But as for ignition value i am skeptical.
 
I have found a definite advantage to using a musket cap and do convert from a #11 when applicable. Believe the vent is the same although I will have to measure. There is increased ignition. Some B/P substitutes required a hotter spark. Probably too late but also try some FFFG up to and including a .50. Range time is important and what works for one may not work for another. Have no doubt that you will find the right combination. Be safe !!!
 
i too agree on advantage of musket cap especially if shooting pellets which burn from inside out. also fyi in case you don`t know, watch loading pressure as you don`t want to crush pellets.have fun;)
 
I have a Cabela's Hawken in percussion and a Lyman Trade rifle in flint, which is almost the same rifle. Both of these shoot excellent with real blackpowder and a patched round ball, one ragged hole at fifty yards when I do my part.
 
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